One of the problems with the printed word is that it's hard to distinguish when quotes are intended to be simple statements of fact, witticisms or sarcasm.

U.S. Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) spoke to the Arkansas County Assessors Association in early April at DeGray Lake State Park Resort. Our friends at the Arkadelphia Siftings-Herald reported on the congressman's comments.

We pick up the story at its midpoint:

Of the recent bills passed, more than 70 percent of them were paid for by cutting wasteful spending, Ross said. Only two recent bills did not adhere to the pay-go rule.

The first was the bill to pay tax rebates under the economic stimulus package and the second was to revamp the tax code to make wealthy persons pay more taxes.

"We had to borrow the money for the economic stimulus rebates," Ross said.

In order for the payments to truly stimulate the economy, he urged the assessors to spend it as fast as you can and to seek out and spend it on American-made products. "It's even better to spend it on local stores and shops." End quote.

Let's get this straight.

The federal government borrows money for the stimulus package because it cannot support the expenditure through taxes or cuts in spending. It gives borrowed money to people without regard to their needs.

Now, the feds never worry about borrowing money because the government knows, hey, we can always print more. Never mind the money given in a stimulus package has shrunk in real value because of the inflationary nature of government spending that's not backed by anything other than its full faith and credit.

So, supporters of the stimulus would say, what's your solution to the economic downturn? The solution is simple enough if the implementation for a president and a Congress that wants to play Santa Claus with borrowed money is not. Cut spending. Cut spending radically. Close federal facilities. Suspend programs not directly related to the government's duties to administer justice and provide for a common defense. Re-evaluate domestic and international spending priorities.

And please know when we say this, we are being neither witty nor sarcastic: For the love of the Founding Fathers, quit encouraging people to spend borrowed money today they will pay for with inflated money tomorrow.